Chargers nab 17 undrafted rookies

West safety Alden Darby (3), of Arizona State, runs back an interception in front of East offensive lineman Zac Kerin (67), of Toledo, during the first half of the East-West Shrine Classic NCAA college football game in St. Petersburg, Fla., Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
The Associated Press

West safety Alden Darby (3), of Arizona State, runs back an interception in front of East offensive lineman Zac Kerin (67), of Toledo, during the first half of the East-West Shrine Classic NCAA college football game in St. Petersburg, Fla., Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

The Chargers had a solid group of undrafted rookies in 2013. There is confidence internally that this class will prove even better.

The team agreed to terms with 17 undrafted rookies, including four wide receivers, it announced Saturday. Coach Mike McCoy defined the process to secure players after the draft as "controlled chaos."

The group includes former Arizona State safety Alden Darby. He reunites with running back Marion Grice, a college teammate whom the Chargers drafted Saturday in the sixth round. Ex-Auburn cornerback Chris Davis returned a missed field goal versus Alabama for a 109-yard touchdown, perhaps the most memorably play of the 2013 college football season.

Michael Flacco also is among the notable additions. The tight end from Division II New Haven is the younger brother of Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco.

Last year, undrafted safety Jahleel Addae and nose tackle Kwame Geathers made the Chargers' roster out of training camp. They remain here to date.

A frenzy to sign undrafted free agents occurs after every draft. It's proven worthwhile for the Chargers, who have a streak of 17 straight seasons in which a rookie free agent made the roster out of training camp. The list includes Antonio Gates, Kris Dielman and Malcom Floyd.

"It's controlled chaos to a certain extent," McCoy said. "You're just waiting for that last pick to happen. Then the scouts and coaches are working together frantically to call players, their agents and get everything lined up. Who can we get? There's a budget for amount of money you can spend on college free agents.

"It's another opportunity for the organization to work together. With the coaches and the scouts, I know we're separate more often than not throughout the entire year, but now we come together as one. There is a common goal here. We're trying to win a world championship."

Some staff changes have occurred since last year. By and large, however, this process was a second go around for the Chargers organization under General Manager Tom Telesco and McCoy. Telesco echoed McCoy on his point.

"Last year, it was chaos," Telesco said. "This year, it was controlled chaos. It's going to be a really good group. We're excited about it."